Desert Air
Nevada Public Radio
Desert Air is the best of Desert Companion magazine for your ears — arts and culture coverage, thoughtful commentary, and creative nonfiction. This podcast provides a space for interviews and storytelling unlike any other, connecting Southern Nevadans with each other and their home.
Episodes
BMI Conversations: Julián Delgado Lopera
This is Black Mountain Institute Conversations, a series of interviews produced by Nevada Public Radio’s Desert Companion in collaboration with the Black Mountain Institute. Here, Desert Companion Editor Heidi Kyser talks with BMI’s Shearing Fellows about their passions, inspirations, community initiatives, and … of course … their writing. Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
River Watch
This story was reported and published as part of a collaboration between the Nevada Current and Nevada Public Radio. Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Now Hear This
Two Vegas music-lovers riff on their favorite local acts and albums of the moment Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
The Vegas Dish
New spots, locations, chefs, and tastes to try around the valley Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
BMI Conversations: Tajja Isen
BMI Conversations, episode 3: Tajja Isen. She’s a 2024 Shearing Fellow, and author of the 2022 book Some of My Best Friends: Essays on Lip Service, from Atria/One Signal Publishers. Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
The Vegas Dish
New spots, locations, chefs, and tastes to try around the valley Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Writer in Residence: The Warmth of Home
Can Las Vegas weather the stresses of climate change? Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
BMI Conversations: Morgan Thomas
BMI Conversations, episode 2: Morgan Thomas. In this episode, Heidi talks with Morgan about her first collection of short stories, Manywhere. Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
BMI Conversations: Edgar Gomez
BMI Conversations, episode 1: Edgar Gomez. In this episode, Heidi talks with Edgar about his debut novel, High-Risk Homosexual; his discovery in Puerto Rico of a trove of Walter Mercado’s belongings; and common threads between Las Vegas and Edgar’s hometown, Orlando. Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Writer in Residence: When the Rain Comes
Relishing monsoon season in a land of persistent drought Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Classic Rockstar
Henderson Symphony Orchestra’s Alexandra Arrieche talks about overcoming obstacles, conducting to Marvel movies, and embracing her audiences Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
True Crime: A Social Injustice
Lin ‘Spit’ Newborn and Daniel Shersty were murdered 25 years ago. Their legacies still reverberate through Las Vegas Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Now Hear This: Check out These Local Musicians
Two Vegas music lovers riff on their favorite local acts and albums of the moment Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Counting Backward
The local medical community says there's an anesthesiologist shortage. What's the solution? Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Writer in Residence: Breathe Out
The warming planet and human disturbance whip up the danger lurking in the dust Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Writer in Residence: Looking Down
What the wildflower superbloom can teach us about the world at our feet Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Rail to Nowhere
A reporter rides the monorail in search of how far it’s come in 20 years Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Writer in Residence: Desert Drift
Rafting the Colorado River in search of what we’d lose if it ran dry Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Chasing Giants
The Colorado River was once home to a six-foot-long pikeminnow. Where did it go? Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.
Writer in Residence: Refuge on Fire
Where do we turn when disaster destroys places that were supposed to be sanctuaries? Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.